COVID-19 outbreak in China has no impact on network roll-out, says DITO

Third telco DITO Telecommunity Corporation on Thursday said the coronavirus outbreak in China is not affecting its roll-out despite relying heavily on the expertise of its consortium partner, state-run China Telecom.

During a press conference in Taguig City, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said Philippines-based officials meet with their Chinese counterparts via video conference.

“May internet naman eh... so kamukha ngayon we do most of our meetings via videocon... so walang, walang [problema],” Santiago said.

The death toll from COVID-19 in China has reached 2,112, with more than 74,500 people infected.

DITO, formerly known as Mislatel Consortium, is comprised of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corporation, its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., China Telecommunications Corporation, and Mindanao Islamic Telephone.

Asked how influential China Telecom is in the consortium, DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano said the DITO is a Filipino company and that its executives are Filipinos.

“They [China Telecom] are our technology partner. And we are leaning heavily on them for that. Sila ang expert diyan,” Tamano said.

He also denied that the Chinese government-run telecom’s equity interest in the telco will be used against the country’s national security.

Tamano said that DITO has to submit a cybersecurity plan, which is not required for dominant players Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc.

Tamano added that the telco is in close coordination with security authorities such as the National Security Adviser and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He said DITO is on track to have its "technical launch" by July this year, while it will have its commercial roll-out in March 2021.

DITO Telecommunity received its certificate of public convenience and necessity from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) last July 2019 to operate as the third major telco. — BM, GMA News